In a statement players released nearly simultaneously on their social media accounts Thursday, they called for the expulsion of leaders of a fraternity tied to a racist video that has rocked the campus. The team, which is predominantly black, also said it would take a leadership role on the mostly white campus to help "end the culture of exclusivity."

The video, which was posted online, shows fraternity members on a bus participating in a chant that included a racial slur, referenced lynching and said black students would never be admitted to OU's chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. The football team has not practiced all week, instead silently demonstrating at Owen Field during its normal practice time.